Backing up from Queensland's State of Origin loss to New South Wales on Wednesday night, Smith was one of the stars of his milestone game at AAMI Park as the Storm wrapped up the match by half-time with five unanswered tries for a 28-0 lead.

"It's nice to get these milestones and I'm very proud of playing 250 games," Smith told Grandstand.

"I think a win's a bonus. I was just looking for a good performance from all the boys tonight and build on what we did against the Roosters a couple of weeks ago.

"The boys certainly did that.

"It was a great first half, it would have been nice to get a zero next to the Sharks' scoreboard.

"But we had a lot of boys out of position and they tried to the end so that's what matters."

I'm very proud of playing 250 games. I think a win's a bonus. I was just looking for a good performance from all the boys tonight.

Storm skipper Cameron Smith

Fellow Maroon Cooper Cronk was instrumental, with a hand in each of those tries as he made amends for a below-par kicking game in Origin.

He schooled his opposite Jeff Robson with the boot in a terrible kicking game for the Sharks.

Cronk orchestrated the first try with a soaring 40-20 that put Cronulla under pressure, while bombs dropped by full-back Michael Gordon and winger Sosaia Feki led to their next two tries.

The Sharks, on a four-game winning streak heading into the match, had New South Wales Origin players Luke Lewis and Andrew Fifita backing up, with the pair starting off the bench.

Fifita got through a mountain of tackles while Lewis also gave his all.

Blues captain Paul Gallen was rubbed out of the game after punching Queensland's Nate Myles during Origin and watched from the sidelines.

"Little bit tired but it's always good to back up for your club after Origin games and it's good to get the soreness out as well," Lewis told Grandstand.

"They were outstanding tonight, real critical in the key areas.

"We were making errors and you can't give a team like Melbourne good field position the way that we did tonight.

They were just too good."

The Sharks had no answer to the rampant Storm, who showed they were well and truly over their mini-form slump.

While their attack was devastating, coach Craig Bellamy will be equally delighted with their defence in keeping the Sharks from scoring until the 77th minute, when Beau Ryan finally broke the duck.

As well as Cronk, Queensland full-back Billy Slater played himself to a standstill.

He was unlucky not to get across the line in the first half before he touched down in the 59th minute and was rewarded with an early shower.

Centre Maurice Blair opened the scoring for the home side in the ninth minute and then the points flowed with New South Wales star Ryan Hoffman, Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris and Gareth Widdop all crossing before the half-time hooter.

Justin O'Neill picked up where they left off after Widdop dropped it on his toe as he was tackled for the Melbourne winger to scoop up to score.